The Whistler Film Festival combines an esteemed international film competition with a concentrated industry summit organized to address the ever-changing landscape of filmmaking in the digital age. The Festival hosts filmmaking luminaries for an intimate five-day program of screenings, tributes, industry initiatives and special events.

To recognize the vitality of the art form, WFF will feature seven juried competitive sections and 15 awards with over $154,500 in cash and prizes to be awarded ($32,500 in cash prizes and $121,000 in prizes), plus one audience award selected from up to 1,000 submissions. Up to 90 films (45 features and 45 shorts) from Canada and around the world, will be presented.

Canadian and International filmmakers are invited to submit films of all lengths and genres by the following deadlines:

SUBMISSIONS OPEN: March 1, 2017

EARLY BIRD Deadline: April 30, 2017

REGULAR FILM Deadline: June 30, 2017

LATE FILM Deadline: August 15, 2017

FILM SUBMISSION FEES:

DEADLINE:

EARLY BIRD: APRIL 30

REGULAR: JUNE 30

LATE: AUGUST 15

FEATURE LENGTH NARRATIVE FILMS

$40

$50

$75

SHORTWORK COMPETITION FILMS

$20

$25

$40

BC STUDENT SHORTWORK FILMS

$10

$20

$25

SUBMIT VIA ONLINE

Our preferred submission method is Film Freeway.

QUESTIONS?

Thank you for your interest in applying to #WFF17. The 17th annual Whistler Film Festival happens November 29 – December 3, 2017. We suggest that you submit your film as early as possible! Getting your film to us early means not only do you save money but it gives us more time to look at it, making your chances of selection better..

Should you have any issues regarding submitting your film please email [email protected] or call 1-877-838-FILM.
Please do not contact us regarding submission status or fee-waivers.

What formats do you accept for film submissions? We LOVE Vimeo screener links and that is how we accept our films. All short & feature films must be submitted via online screener link. Instructions on how to provide your online screener link are explained on Film Freeway & Withoutabox. We do not accept DVD screeners!

Does WFF accept BluRay screeners?
Not at this time.

What are the deadlines for submissions?
Early Bird Deadline: April 30
Regular Deadline: June 30
Late Deadline: August 15

Does WFF hand out Submission Fee Waivers?As a non-profit society, we rely upon submission fees to help cover the staffing costs of reviewing your film for possible inclusion in WFF17. As per policy, we do not give out waivers under any circumstances. Please refrain from asking.

Can I submit a film I submitted last year?
No, WFF does not accept previously submitted films. If you did not make it in with that film in previous years, we will not consider it again.

How old can my film be?
All films presented at WFF17 must have been completed after August 2016.

Do you require a press kit?
Not until your film has been accepted into the Festival but we do look at the details posted on Film Freeway or Withoutabox.

What qualifies as a feature film versus a short film?
Feature films are more 50 minutes in length including credits. Anything 49 minutes or less in runtime is considered a short film.

What do you mean by Western Canadian premiere?Your feature film must not have screened theatrically within the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba prior to December 3, 2017 to be considered a Western Canadian premiere.

Does this mean if I screen my feature at the Vancouver International Film Festival, it can’t be part of WFF?
Yes. Unfortunately, we find the markets are very similar and we would prefer to show films that haven’t been seen in British Columbia at the time of our Festival. Our goal is to present a program unique from VIFF.

Do you have a premiere status requirements for short films?
We prefer to have a British Columbia premiere but a film with a Whistler premiere will not be exempted.

I have a short documentary, where should I submit?
All short films (49 minutes or less) should be submitted under the ShortWork Competition under either Canadian or International.

What qualifies as a Canadian or International film?
Canadian films are at least 51% financed through Canadian dollars or produced in Canada. Being a Canadian citizen in another country, does not qualify the film as Canadian if produced in the USA for example.

When will I be notified if I am accepted inWFF17? The final notification date is October 31, 2017. You will be notified via email.

Who reviews my film?
WFF has a selection committee consisting of WFF staff members and select well-respected members of the Vancouver filmmaking community.

Will WFF accept a work in progress?
Yes, we do! However, the first version you submit will be the version the programming decision will be made on. Updated versions will not be screened.

Who can I contact if I have more questions?
If this page does not answer a question you have please email [email protected]Please refrain from emailing us with questions involving the status of your film, updates regarding your submission and any and all film fee waiver requests. We do not waive fees under any circumstances.

The Whistler Film Festival Society is a charitable cultural organization dedicated to furthering the art of film by providing programs that focus on the discovery, development and promotion of new talent culminating with a must attend festival for artists, the industry and audiences in Whistler.